Shock absorber



Feb. 6, 1945. E BEECHER 2,369,008

SHOCK ABSORBER Filed Feb. 4Q 1944 1 N VENTOR. .fz/GENE L. EEC/1s@ ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 6, 1945 Eugene L. Beecher, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, as-

signor to The Gabriel Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio v Application February 4, 1944, Serial No. 521,014

` (C1. 18s-a8) 9 Claims.

The present invention relates to fluid pressure devices and, more particularly, to fluid shock absorbers suitable for use on vehicles.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a fluid device comprising novel and improved packing and/or valve means, which device is simple in construction, durable in use, and has improved' operating characteristics.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel and improved fluid shock absorber suitable for use on vehicles, which shock absorber will have improved shock absorbing operating characteristics and is so designed as to require a minimum number of readily manufacturable parts.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a fluid shock absorber of the character referred to which, in addition to the above mentioned features, includes 'self-energizing frictional resistance means of novel and improved design for supplementing the uid resistance of the shock absorber during the impact stroke thereof.

Another object of the invention is the pro vision of novel and improved' packing and/or valve means for liuid devices comprising a rubber-like resilient elastic ring or annular member normally circular in cross-section, confined in an annular groove formed in one of the relatively movable parts and of less depth than the thickness of the ring or annular member, the Width of which groove is alternatively equal to and greater than the axial dimension of the ring or annular member when in operative'position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of novel and improved self-energizing frictional resistance means for a shock absorber or the like, which means comprises a rubbery and greater than'the axial dimension of the ring or annular member when vin operative position.

The present invention resides in certain constructions and combinations and arrangements of parts and further objects and advantages thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art to whichit relates from the following disclosure and description of the preferred embodiment described with reference to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of thisspeel'catlon,`

in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts. and in which;

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view, with portions in elevation, approximately on the line I-I of Fig. i showing a direct acting hydraulic shock absorber embodying the present invention. Figs. 2 and 3 are enlarged fragmentary views of the shock absorber shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 2 showing-the relative positions of the various .parts of the piston assembly during the impact or compression stroke of the Shock absorber, and Fig. 3 showing the position of the same parte during the recoil stroke.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view approximately on the line 1 -4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view approximately on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3, and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged elevational View of the piston proper.

In certain aspects, the` present invention may be considered an improvement on the device shown in my copending application Serial Number 490,290, filed June 10, 1943, entitled Shock` absorber, and is herein illustrated and described as embodied in such a device, however, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular construction shown in said application or to shock absorbers, as will be ap-4 parent from the following disclosure.

Referring to the drawing the shock absorber shown therein which, as previously stated, is merely illustrative of the invention, is a direct double-acting hydraulic shock absorber of a type suitable for use on motor-driven Vehicles and the like. Except for the piston assembly, the shock absorber shown is similar in construction to that shown in my above-identied application and is not herein shown and described in detail. Generally speaking, the shock absorber shown comprises an outer substantially cylindrical casing I0 closed at its upperend by 'a cup-shaped member II fixed thereto in a suitable manner and to the upper end ofv the piston rod I2. The cylindrical casing I0 forms a housing for the upper part of the double-walled cylinder assembly, designated generally by the reference charactr A, comprising inner and outer cylindric tu-n bular members or cylinders I3 `and I4, respectively, Within the inner member I3' of which the piston assembly, designated generally' by the reference character B, is slidably supported. The upper and lower ends ofthe tubular members I3 and I4 are closed by cup-shaped members I5 and I6, respectively, which members together with the tubularl members I3 and I4, form au air-tight chamber or reservoir between the respective walls'of the cylinder assembly.-

The reservoir I1 is in continuous communication by means of a plurality of circumferentially spaced internal grooves in the member I6, with a chamber 2l in the lower end of the tubular member I3 formed by the member I6 and by a disk-like member 22 xed within the tubular member I3 adjacent to but spaced a short distance from its lower end. The reservoir I1 is for the reception of oil or like fluid used in the shock absorber, and particularly that displaced by the piston rod I2. The chamber 2l underneath the member 22 is in constant communication with the lower end of the working cylinder by a relatively.

small aperture or opening 23 extending through the member 22. In addition to the member I5, the upper end of the tubular member I3 is closed by an annular member 25 fixed within the upper end thereof, which annular member in addition to forming the upper end of the working cylinder, serves as a guide member for the piston rod I2. Suitable packingmeans is interposed between the members I5 and 25 to prevent the escape of fluid about thc piston rodl I2. Ring members 26 and 21 fixed to the upper end of the piston rod I2 and to the member I6 in any suitable manner as by welding, provide means for connecting the shock absorber to the vehicle in a conventional manner. The construction of the shock absorber thus far described is similar tov 'piece of stock and comprises a one piece cylindrically shaped member 30 having an axially extending central opening 3l counterbored at opposite ends. The upper counter bore 32 is threaded end of the piston rod I2. The piston rod I2 and piston member 30 are fixedly secured together by the cooperating threads thereon and, in operation, act or move as a unit. The piston rod I2 does not extend to the bottom of lthe counterbore 32, thus forming a chamber 33 underneath the end of the pistonrod, which chamber is in continuous communication with the reduced central bore or-opening 3I which, in turn, communicates with the lower concentric counterbore 34 formed in the lower' end ofthe member 30. The lower end of the bore 3| opens into a raised annular portion 35 formed on the underside ofthe partition 36 separating the oounterboresf32 and 34, which raised annular portion projects into the counterbore 34 and forms a valve sat for a disk' valve 31 slidably supportedon a short rod 38 xed as by riveting to a cup-shaped member 40 threaded into the counterbore 34. The valve 31 is normally held in its upper position, see Fig.

2, that is in a position to close the lower end of the bore 3|, by a compression spring 4I interposed between the lower side thereof and the bottom of a cup-shaped member 42 surrounding the lower end of the rod 38 and fixed thereto and to threaded at its upper end and receives the lower above the member 40 and having arm portions 44 which project downward through openings in the member 40. The member 43 is held in continuous contact with the upper side of the member 40 by a coiled spring 46 interposed between the upper side thereof and the bottom of the counterbore 34, that is, the lower side of the partition 36. The projections 44 are adapted to engage within suitable apertures or recesses 41 in the upper side of the member 22 when the shock absorber is collapsed, that is, whenl the piston assembly is moved to its extreme lower position, thus permitting the member 30 to be rotated upon rotation of the piston rod I2 while the member 40 is held stationary by the engagement of the arms 44 in the recesses 41. The spring 46 facilitates the engagement of the projections 44 within the apertures 41 and, in addition, forms a locking means which prevents accidental rotation of the member 46 within the counterbore 34. The counterbore 34 is in continuous communication with the exterior of the piston member 30, which is of reduced diameter, between the upper and lower anges 56 and 5I thereof, by a plurality of radial passages 52, inthe present instance six, equally spaced circumferentially about the piston member 30.

In addition to the counterbore 3l, the upper end of the piston member 36 is provided with a plurality of axially extending cylindrical apertures 53, -in the present instance four, equally spaced about the counterbore|32. The apertures 53 are in continuous communication with the chamber 33 underneath the piston rod I2 by radial passages 54 communicating with the lower end thereof and the lower end of the counterbore 32. 'In addition, 'the lower ends of the` apertures 53 open into a relatively narrow annular groove 55 in the bottom of a relatively wide annular groove 56 formed in the circumference of the piston member 36 radially of the chamber 33 and within which latter groove a combination packing and valve member 66 is located. As shown the lower wall of the groove 55 is a continuation of the lower wall of the groove 56 and the groove 55 extends radially inwardly to a point past the inside of the center lines of the axial apertures 53, and is narrower than the diameter of the passages 54. Since the apertures 54 are formed by drilling from the exterior of the piston member, the upper wallof the groove 55 is indented as at 6I in line with the passages 54. These indentations 6I, together with the fact that the groove 55 extends inwardly, past the center lines of the apertures 53, provide a relatively large passage for the free flow of liquid past the piston assembly during the compression or impact stroke of the shock absorber. The intermediate flange 62 between the groove 56 and a somewhat similar groove 63 in the piston member 30 immediately above the groove 56 is of wave form as shown inthe drawing with the result that the wall which forms the upper edge of the groove 56 is undulated or wavy,

the member 38 Vby being riveted to the member l 40 along with the rod 38.

justing member 43 located inthe counterbore 34 forming a plurality of alternate valleys and crests, in the present instance four of each, thus varying the axial dimensions of the periphery of the groove so that it is alternatively equal to and greater than the width of the valve member 60. The groove 56, as shown, is approximately twice as wide as the member 60 at its widest point. The valve member 60 is a continuous ring normally circular in cross-section and formed of resilient elastic material, such a's natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or some suitable ber, the member 60 will be slightly compressed.

The construction `iust described is such that as the piston assembly is reciprocated within the tubular member I3 those portions of the valve member 60 which are unconiined axially stretch and move axially relative tothe member 30, thus opening or closing the radially outer end of the groove 55 and the enlargements therein formed by the indentations 6I which are, in fact, extensions of the apertures 54 and/or the uid passageway formed by the clearance between'the ange 64 and the cylinder wall of the member I3', which passageway communicates with the groove 56 and with a fluid chamber 65 formed by a reduced diameter portion 66 of the piston member I- 3 and the cylinder wall. The principal function of the annular member 60 is to prevent the-passage of iluid from one side of the piston to the other during the recoil stroke, by way of the grooves 55, 56, the clearance about the flange 64, the chamber 65, and the apertures 52 andit is immaterial whether it closes both the opening between the grooves'55 and 56 and the entrance to the clearance about the iiange 86 or merely Vthe latter.

passages 53, and with the passages 53 and the` counterbore 34 forms a continuous communication between the opposite sides of the piston member 30, thus permitting a predetermined 4constant .volume of oil to pass therethrough at all times.

The operation of the device thus far described is as follows: During the impact or compression stroke oi the shock absorber the piston moves within the working cylinder in the direction indicated by the arrow 6l shown in Fig. 2

and the parts assume the relative positions shown in said figure. 'Ihe bore A3l through the partition 36 of the piston member 3G is closed by the valve 31, with the result that iluid in the lower end of the working cylinder is forced to flow into the upper end thereof, -that is, into the` end of the working cylinder above the piston proper by way of the counterbore 34: radial openings 52; chamber 65; clearance between the inner wall of the tubular member I3 and the intermediate ange 64; lower part of groove 55; groove 55; and aperture 53. 'I'he fact that the piston I2 is moving in a. downward direction relative to the tubular member I3 and the further fact that the normal thickness of the annular member 66 is greater than the depth of the groove 56 within which it is located, causes those portions of the annular member which are unconned axially to move upward into engagement with the lower wall of the iiange 62, with the result that the outer end of the groove 55 is placed in communication with the chamber 65 by way of the groove 56 and the clearance about the iiange 64. The resistance effected incident to the ow of uid from one side of the piston assembly to the other in this instance is controlled by the amount o1' clearance provided between the exterior of the ange 64 and the interior of the tubular member I3. Obviously, the amount of resistance produced can be determined by varying the size of any of the passages through which the uid must travel in order to reach the opposite side of the piston assembly. It will be understood that during the impact stroke, i. e.

the downward movement of the piston, a certain volume of iluid will pass through the opening 23 and the passages 20 to the reservoir.

On the recoil stroke of the shock absorbe the relative direction of the movements between the cylinder and piston assem-blies is in the direction indicated by the arrow 10, see Fig. 3, and the various parts assume the relative positions shown in said ligure, provided the pressure above the piston member 30 is great'enough to unseat the valve 31 against the action of the spring 4I, etc. When the relative direction of movement between the cylinder and piston assemblies changed from that shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 3, the combination valve and.

packing member 60 moved into engagement with the lower wall ccf the groove 56, and closed the outer end of the iluid passage from one side of the piston to the other by Way of the grooves 55 and 56,` and the vclearance about the flange 64,

etc. Consequently the oil or iiuid above the piston can only pass tothe lower side thereof through the fixed oriiice' 68 until the pressure above the piston has reached a predetermined point suilicient to unseat the valve 3l, after' which the duid can flowirom the chamber 33 to the counterbore 34 by Way of the passage 3l. The movement of the axially unconned prtion of the combination packing and valve member t0, referred to, is produced upon movement od! the piston member 3U relative to the tubular member I3 by the frictional engagement of the member 60 with the inner wall of the tubular member I3. From the foregoing it will be seen that the annular member 60 acts not only as a piston sealing packing but also as a by-DaSS valve.

The preferred construction shown herein also incorporates a self-energizing frictional resistance means, for supplementing the uid resistance of the shock absorber during the impact stroke thereof, in the form orf an annular member or ring Il similar tothe ring 60 and located in the groove 53 previously referred to. The upper ange 50 of the piston member 30 is of wave form,'simi1ar to the wave form of the iiange S2 but having its convolutions displaced 45 with respect to the convolutions of the iiange 62, thus producing a groove having alternate portions, the axial dimensions of the outer portions of which are equal to and greater than the thickness 0f the member 1I when in operative position. Ihe ring I I operates in a manner similar to the ring 60 and the unconiined portions thereof move that it is of varying depth, the inner or bottom wall 'I3 thereof being upwardly and outwardly inclined. The construction is-such-that when the annular member 'Il is in the lower .end of the groove 63, it is not substantially compressed or distorted but when the axially unconilned portions thereof move in the position shown in Fig. 2, these portions orf the annular member are compressed or distorted and tightly engage the inner surface of the tubular member I3, thus creating a frictional resistance to the movement of the piston assembly in' the cylinder; Suflicient clearance is provided between the peripheries of the ange's 50 and B2 to permit any uid which might otherwise be trapped in the grooves 56 and 63 to escape and not interfere with the operation of the annular members 60 and 1I. If desired, the self-energizing frictional resistance feature may be omitted altogether, as previously` stated. Alternatively, it may be combined with the combination valve and packing feature by making the bottom of the groove 56 inclined upwardly and outwardly in a manner similar to. the bottom 13 of the groove 63, in which event the annular member 60 will be forced into tight frictional engagement with the inner Wall of the cylinder upon movement'of the.axially unconned portions of the. member 60 into their upper positions, that is the positions shown in Fig. 2.

From the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention it will be apparent that the objects heretoffore enumerated and others have been accomplished and that a.

novel and improved fluid pressure device, and particularly a novel and improved uid shock absorber has been provided. While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described with considerable detail it isto be understood that the invention is not limited to shock absorbers or to the particular construction shown,

Other alternative constructions will be obvious to those yskilled in the art to which the invention relates and it is my intention to hereby cover all adaptations, modifications and uses ofthe l ldevice disclosed herein which come Within the practice of those skilled in the art to which the invention relates and within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: l. In a uid pressure mechanism the combination of a cylinder member, a piston'or plunger member reciprocable in said cylinder member, one of said members having an annulargroove opening towards the adjacent wall of the other of said members, and a resilient annular member positioned ln said groove the depth of which is less than the normal thickness of sai'dannular member and the axial dimension of a portion of which is greater than Ythe axial dimension of said annular member while the axial dimension of another portion thereof is equal to the axial dimension of said annular member when in operative position.

2. In a fluid pressure-mechanism the combina- Vtion of a cylinder member, a piston or plunger member reciprocable in ,said cylinder member and having an. annular groove opening towards .the adjacent wall of said cylinder member, and a resilient annular member of normally round 4cross-section positioned in said groove the depth of which is less than the normal thickness of .said annular member and the axial dimensions of a .plurality of alternate portions of which are greater than and equal to the axial dimension of said 'annular member when in operative `po- 3. In a udressure mechanism the combination of a cylinder member, a piston or plunger! 7,5

lll

member reciprocable in said cylinder member and having an annular groove in the circumference thereof, and a resilient annular memb er of normally round cross-section positioned in said groove than the normal thickness of said annular member and one side wall of which is undulated axially forming alternate portions of greater axial dimension than that of said annular member and of equal axial dimensionto that of said annular member when in operative position.

4. In a iiuid pressure mechanism the combination of a cylinder member, a piston or plunger member reciprocable in said cylinder member,

said piston member having an annular groove in than and equal to the axial dimension of said annular member when in operative position,

' means forming a fluid passageway from one side of said piston to the other adapted to be automatically closed by said annular member when in contact with one of the sidewalls of said groove incident to movement of said piston memberl in one direction and automatically opened when the vaxially unconilned portion yof said annular member is shifted in said groove axiallyof the piston upon movement of said piston in the opposite direction. i

5. In a fluid shock absorber the combination of a'cylinder, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder and having an annular groove in the circumference thereof, and a resilient annular member positioned `in said groove the depth of which groove is less than the normal thickness of said annular member and the axial dimensions of alternative portions of which groove are greater ing with opposite ends'thereo. adapted. to be closed by said annular member when in contact with one of the axial walls of `said groove incident to movement of said piston member in one direction and .automatically opened when the axially unconned portion of saidannular member is shifted in said groove axially of said piston upon movement thereof in the opposite direction.

6.l In a iiuid shock absorber the combination of a cylinder, -a piston reciprocable in said cylinder, said piston member having an annular groove in the circumference thereofpand a Vresilient annular member of'normally round cross-section positioned in said groove the depth of which is less than the normal thickness of said annular member and the axial dimensions of alternate portions of which are greater than and equal to the axial. dimension of said annular member whenlin operative position, said piston having a iluid passageway communicating with opposite ends thereof adapted to be closed by-said annular the depth of which groove is less siemn @meier member oi normally round cross= section positioned in seid groove the depth of which is less their the normal thickness oi? seiol simuler member and the axle! dimensions of eiterriete poriioris of which are greater-'than emi equal to iii-e axial dimension o seid annuler member, seid piston having e. fluid passageway commurzloeiing with opposite ends thereof erieptee so be alternately closed end opened by the exieiiy uncoziried portion ci seid onmiier nieniber'izpon alternate reciprccetion of seid piston 'within seid cylinder.

e shock absorber the combination of e cyiineer, e piston reciprooebie within saisi cylincier, means :for imparting riciional resistence the IrioveiiieniI ci. seid piston in one direction iiiolod s en. annuler recess in ihe periphery of elle piston and diminishing depth axially ci seid piston, emi e resiieni; friction member mounted in seriei recess the axial dimension of portion of which recess is greater than tire axial dimension of seid friction member while the exiei dimension oi' another pori-ion o seid recess is equal to the axial dimensiorrof seid resilient member when in operetive position, whereby the axially unconned portion of seid resilient member is shiftable in said recess from inicie portion oi greatest depth into a. portion of lesser depth and viceversa depending upon the direction of movement of said piston to exert 9. In ei srioci: absorber the combination oi e,

cylinder, o piston reciprocebie Within seid cylirider, means for imparting iriciionei resisieiice to the .movement oi seid piston one direction and including an aai-rimer groove chorriiiie foe ripi'iery oi the piston, and e, resilient erm-olor friction member or ring normeiiy ci" circuler crossseetioii. end of greater thickness their the dept; of seid groove mounted in seid groove, the axial dimensions of olternete portions oi which, groove are greater than end. eousi to rire dimension of said resiierli; member when im; operative position and thel deptii saisi groove diminishing axially of said piston whereby tire axially unconned portions ere oiterneieiy shift-.- aole in seid groove-upon alternate reciprocetiozi of the piston from portions of greater depth to portions of lesser depth to exert noeubsismiziei ricbiooel contact with the well oi said cylinder and to tightly engage the cylindrical wall end exert a, substantial frictional resistance to the movement of. the piston.

EUGENE L. B. 

